Excursions
Hotel Rio Serrano offers its guests half-day and full day excursions. These are designed to experience in depth every corner of Torres del Paine National Park and its surroundings. The excursions range from levels easy through to difficult depending on the participants physical condition and experience. We also operate using various modes of transportation that include travelling by vehicle, horseback, boat and on foot (trekking & climbing). These excursions are led by our experienced and friendly qualified guides who will accompany you each step of the way and provide all the vital practical and safety information throughout the trip.
*Navigation Serrano River (subject to availability)
Difficulty: Low | Duration: 5 hrs | Departure: 09:00 AM or 15:00 PM
If you are looking for adventure, this is the perfect excursion for you! This boat tour is done in a zodiac boat, descending by Rio Serrano. The river falls, the native forests, mountains and birds embellish this landscape. And to end this exciting boat ride, we are exposed to the views of the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers located within the most extensive area of the National Park named Bernardo O’Higgins.
Navigation Grey Glacier (subject to availability)
Difficulty: Low | Duration: 5hrs | Departure: 07:30 AM, 10:30 AM or 13:30 PM
The most incredible and intense blue you will ever see! That is what you’ll experience after navigating through the waters of Lake Grey and marvelling at one of Patagonia’s most famous natural wonders. The Grey Glacier is a ‘must-see’ southern Patagonian ice field for anyone wanting to have an unforgettable experience.
Recreational Sport Climbing in Nutria River
Difficulty: Easy | Duration: 4hrs | Depart: 09:00 AM or 15:00 PM | Min. 2 pax
Climbing is an incredibly complete sport, where body and mind must complement each other allowing us to overcome our fears and develop new skills and abilities. The location we have chosen for climbing is positioned in the middle of the beautiful Lengas and Ñirres forest. A small stream runs at the initial stages of the route forming a unique ecosystem where you’ll be lucky enough to hear the singing of many different species of birds. This climbing excursion is for everyone; from children to adults, ex-pert climbers and inexperienced /new climbers. This experience is ideal for sharing time with your family in a quiet location overlooking the Paine Massif in all its glory.
Full Day Paine
Difficulty: Low | Duration: 8 ½ hrs | Departure: 08:30AM
Full Day Paine is recommended for every guest, starting early in the day at 8:30a.m. Leave from Hotel Rio Serrano by vehicle where we will be visiting the main view points of the park. Our first sto pis at Serrano Lookout where we will have a panoramic view of the Paine Massif and from here we will witness the hydrographic activity in the park, then we continue our tour until we arrive to the Visitors Center in the Park Administration where we will have access to information about the history, expeditions, geology, flora and fauna of the Eighth Wonder of the world. The next stop will be at the Weber bridge, named after the first settlers of this zone and here we will be very close to the Payne River with a unique view of the Cuernos mountains, we will continue the journey towards the Lake Pehoe to then reach Salto Grande; beautiful waterfall in the central area of the park, here we will walk 20 minutes to get even closer to this 40-feet waterfall, this is the first walking activity of the day. The route continues by driving to the East sector of the National Park where, in addition to having a closer general view of the mountains, we will have close contact with the native fauna; Guanacos, foxes, condors, even Pumas are part of the landscape. We will also visit the Nordenskjold lake and Payne Waterfall from where you can feel amazed by the beautiful Torres del Payne, if the weather conditions allow it. After all the above, we will return to the Hotel to share a lunch with the group in the Kaienk restaurant. Once we had a small break we will prepare ourselves to then continue the tour driving towards the west area of the Park, this is a unique place where we will be walking along the Grey Beach for 1 hour and 30 minutes, having the chance to see at aproximately 17km distance the Grey Glacier and closer to us some small icebergs on the beach before heading back to our hotel.For this full day excursion it is recommended to wear: Trekking shoes, sunglasses, windbreakear or jacket and waterproof clothing (Patagonia is well - known by its "4 seasons" in one day).
Cuernos Viewpoint (Lookout)
Difficulty: Low | Duration: 3hrs | 6km (3.7mil) – 2hrs | Depart: 09:00 AM or 15:00 PM
If a simple, gentle walk is what you are looking for, then this is a perfect excursion to choose. We take you through the central area of the National Park where we are able to appreciate the flora (a great variety of earthy native bushes and shrubs), the Massif with its 3050mts height, the stunning yet peculiar Horns, the Valley and French Glacier and the 2 largest and most beautiful lakes in the park; Nordenskjold and Pehoé. These lakes are separated by an impressive waterfall; Salto Grande, a must see natural pic-turesque sight for all who visit Torres del Paine National Park.
Grey Beach
Difficulty: Low | Duration: 3hrs - 4.4km (2.7mil) – 2hrs | Departure: 09:00 AM or 15:00 PM
The shores of Grey Lake are the backdrop for this simple but beautiful walk. Here to our delight we are able to enjoy the strikingly blue ice flows from the Grey Glacier. To finish this trip we arrive at a lookout where we can appreciate from a distance the eastern side of the Glacier, which is also part of the South Patagonian Ice Field. The Nothofagus forest environment also delights us with some native birds that inhabit the area like the Magellanic Wood Pecker.
Medium-difficulty Excursions
Nutria River
Difficulty: Medium - Low | Duration: 2hrs | Depart: Morning 10:00 AM - Afternoon between 14:00 to 16:00 PM | 1 Hour Horseback Ride: Morning between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM / Afternoon between 14:00 PM and 17:00 PM
Patagonia is known as the land of gauchos and horses, and what a great destination to connect with this practice. The Rio Serrano offers us the most perfect setting. We will ride to the converging waters of the Grey River, enjoying a display of both its different colours (due to glacial origins), and the amusing magnitude of the Paine Massif. We will then proceed to cross the Nutria River on horseback and enter the natural forests of Nothofagus. This is a great option for people with little or no experience on horse riding, let alone in the Patagonian terrain.
Pingo Valley
Difficulty: Medium | Duration: 4hrs | Walking Distance: 6.5 (4mil) – 3hrs | Depart: 08:30 AM or 14:30 PM
Bordering the Pingo River, this valley will offer every inch of its beautiful attractions; new views of the Macizo Paine and one of the most humid and green areas of the park. We will distinguish the flora and lush vegetation surrounding the forests of Nothofagus (Lenga, Ñirre and Magellan Coigue). We will conclude the excursion at a beautiful waterfall, half hidden by the dense vegetation and spilling crystalline streams of clear water through the extraordinary rock formations.
Aonikenk
Dificulty: Medium - Low | Duration: 5hrs | Walking Distance: 7km (4.3mil) – 3hrs | Departure: 08:00 AM or 14:00 PM
If your love for nature brings you to Patagonia, then this excursion is an incredible op-portunity to fully appreciate the local flora, fauna (families of guanacos) and the Paine massif close by the Monte Almirante Nieto on the eastern side of the park. During our walk, we will cross 2 of the main entrances to the park (Amarga – Sarmiento), culmi-nating with views to the historic cave paintings from the natives that inhabited these lands - Aonikenks or Tehuelches. This journey provides a very special anthropological touch and understanding of the land.
Sarmiento
Difficulty: Medium - Low | Duration: 3.5hrs - 5km (3.1mil) – 2.5hrs | Departure Time: 09:00 AM or 15:00 PM
To reach Sarmiento we will journey through the central park area of pre-andean scrubland. Whilst here we will appreciate groups of grazing guanacos (local animals of the Patagonian fauna). Then we will travel through Lake Sarmiento Chico reaching our destination, Lake Sarmiento; the largest lake in Torres del Paine National Park. This lake will stun viewers with its unique intense blue colour, calcium carbonate for-mations along its banks, and unique rock formations.
Condor Viewpoint (Lookout)
Difficulty: Medium - High | Duration: 3hrs | Depart: 09:00 AM or 15:00 PM
Starting at Camping Pehoé and then later ascending for an hour we will reach one of the most incredible views the park has to offer. We will set eyes on everything that surrounds the Paine Massif: its lakes, rivers, flora and fauna, as well as the intense col-our of Lake Pehoé. With some luck, we might get a glimpse of the powerful condor, either flying over us or perched on a rock wall close to our path. This viewpoint will expose us to the strong winds of Patagonia, a climatic ‘trademark’ setting it apart from many other places in the world.
High Difficulty Excursions
Lake Jote
Difficulty: High | Duration: 5-5 ½ hrs | Depart: 14:00 PM
This horse ride is the perfect occasion for you to connect with such noble animals and enjoy the surrounding areas in its most quintessential way possible. This excursion gives you a great opportunity to gallop and discover an area that the majority of visitors will never have the privilege of seeing. Lake Jote is a site of incredible beauty, with nature at your fingertips you’ll see the native birds flying free, vegetation, and as always the spectacular Paine Massif. This is an alternative only for people with prior experience in horseback riding.
Lake Toro Viewpoint (Lookout)
Difficulty: High | Duration: 3.5hrs | Walking Distance: 4km (2.5mil) – 3hrs
Departure Time: 09:00 AM or 15:00 PM
This tough trekking route towards Lake Toro lookout begins a few meters from the Weber Bridge in the direction of the Sierra del Toro where the ‘Bagual’ bull (wild bulls) used to run free on the banks of the Paine River. This excursion is an excellent alternative to marvel at Lake Toro, the largest lake in the region of Magallanes. It’s beautiful range of colours stand out in contrast with the rest of the earthy landscape. It also occupies a vast expanse of area and has a privileged 360° view of the Paine Massif, the Paine and Serrano River including several other great attractions. This lookout is a totally satisfying reward after all the physical ef-forts.
Las Torres Base
Difficulty: High (steep) | Duration: 11 ½ hrs | Walking Distance: 20.4km (12.5mil) – 9hrs
Departure Time: 07:30AM
We will begin our day by traveling to the eastern area of Torres del Paine National Park, in the direction of Estancia Cerro Paine. After a short walk we will cross the sus-pension bridge at the Ascencio River – water flow originating up the valley and named after the renowned bandit of Patagonia at the beginning of last century. Our first next challenge begins with a slow pace uphill to reach the 500 meter mark base of Monte Almirante Nieto.
*French Valley
(1st of November to the 30th of April, except the 25th of December and 1st of January)
Difficulty: High | Duration: 12 hrs | Walking Distance: 22km (13.7mil) – 8 ½ hrs
Departure Time: 08:00AM
This very complete trekking excursion includes various points of interests. It has the advantage of onlooking at the Paine Massif from the south-east perspective and pro-vides a spectacular panoramic view of Paine Grande and the Horns on the opposite side. This route constantly showcases the different types of sedimentary and granite rock formations of the massif.
Mount Ferrier Viewpoint (Lookout)
Difficulty: High | Duration: 5 hrs Walking Distance: 5km (3.1mil) – 4 hrs |
Departure Time: 08:00 AM or 14:00pm
An unforgettable alternative for anyone with a passion for trekking. Although the summit of Mount Ferrier is located at 1600mts above sea level, at 700mts height a trek to this excellent lookout is achievable for anyone in a good physical condition, and able to cope with an uphill path winding through abundant local vegetation. As we reach this lookout, we are captivated by stunning landscape views of gorgeous lakes, icebergs and mountains within the National Park. Glaciers are in sight like the Pingo and the Grey together with the Paine Massif. This trek is without doubt an enjoyable and memorable experience.
*Please note, the Serrano Navigation & French Valley excursions only operate in the High Season.
